Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters, 11781-11783 [2023-03606]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 37 / Friday, February 24, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or
develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA has determined that this AD
will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD
will not have a substantial direct effect
on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and
the States, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as
follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by:
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive
2004–04–09, Amendment 39–13490 (69
FR 9520, March 1, 2004); and
■ b. Adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
■
■
2023–03–12 Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.:
Amendment 39–22337; Docket No.
FAA–2022–1478; Project Identifier
MCAI–2022–00668–E.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is
effective March 31, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2004–04–09,
Amendment 39–13490 (69 FR 9520, March 1,
2004).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Pratt & Whitney Canada
Corp. JT15D–1, JT15D–1A, and JT15D–1B
model turbofan engines as identified in
Transport Canada AD CF–2022–27, dated
May 19, 2022 (Transport Canada AD CF–
2022–27).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:40 Feb 23, 2023
Jkt 259001
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor
Section.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by three prior
reports of uncontained failure of the
impeller, and one additional recent report of
an in-service uncontained failure event. The
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
uncontained failure of the impeller. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in fracture of the impeller, subsequent
uncontained failure of the engine, and
damage to the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this
AD: Perform all required actions within the
compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, Transport Canada AD CF–
2022–27.
(h) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information
referenced in Transport Canada AD CF–
2022–27 specifies to submit certain
information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD,
if requested using the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector
or local Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the manager of the certification office,
send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and
email it to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD,
contact Barbara Caufield, Aviation Safety
Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781)
238–7146; email: barbara.caufield@faa.gov.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of
the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Transport Canada AD CF–2022–27,
dated May 19, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Transport Canada AD CF–2022–27,
contact Transport Canada, Transport Canada
National Aircraft Certification, 159 Cleopatra
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
11781
Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada;
phone: 888–663–3639; email: AD-CN@
tc.gc.ca; website: tc.canada.ca/en/aviation.
(4) You may view this service information
at FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA,
email: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to:
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued on February 7, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–03605 Filed 2–23–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2022–1490; Project
Identifier MCAI–2022–01177–R; Amendment
39–22338; AD 2023–03–13]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus
Helicopters
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
The FAA is adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E,
AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and
AS355N helicopters. This AD was
prompted by a report of a partially
broken tail rotor drive fan support (fan
support) and a completely broken fan
support. This AD requires repetitively
inspecting certain part-numbered fan
supports (affected parts), and depending
on the results, removing an affected part
from service and replacing it with a
serviceable part, which constitutes a
terminating action for the repetitive
inspections. This AD also requires
replacing affected parts with serviceable
parts unless already accomplished and
prohibits installing an affected part on
any helicopter, as specified in a
European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD, which is incorporated by
reference. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 31,
2023.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\24FER1.SGM
24FER1
11782
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 37 / Friday, February 24, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in this AD
as of March 31, 2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD
docket at regulations.gov under Docket
No. FAA–2022–1490; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this final rule, any comments
received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M–30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC
20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For EASA material that is
incorporated by reference in this final
rule, contact EASA, Konrad-AdenauerUfer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet
easa.europa.eu.
• You may view this material at the
FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood
Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX
76177. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA,
call (817) 222–5110. It is also available
at regulations.gov under Docket No.
FAA–2022–1490.
Other Related Service Information:
For Airbus Helicopters service
information identified in this final rule,
contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North
Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052;
telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–
0323; fax (972) 641–3775; or at
airbus.com/helicopters/services/
technical-support.html. This service
information is also available at the FAA
contact information under Material
Incorporated by Reference above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jared Hyman, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston ACO Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington,
Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781)
238–7799; email 9-AVS-AIR-BACOCOS@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European
Union, has issued a series of EASA ADs
with the most recent being EASA AD
2022–0180, dated August 29, 2022
(EASA AD 2022–0180), to correct an
unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters
Model AS 355 E, AS 355 F, AS 355 F1,
AS 355 F2, and AS 355 N helicopters,
all serial numbers.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:40 Feb 23, 2023
Jkt 259001
The FAA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would
apply to Airbus Helicopters Model
AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2,
and AS355N helicopters. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on
December 5, 2022 (87 FR 74330). The
NPRM was prompted by a report of a
partially broken right-hand side (RH)
fan support and a completely broken
left-hand side (LH) fan support found
during scheduled maintenance on a
Model AS355 helicopter. The NPRM
proposed to require repetitively
inspecting certain part-numbered fan
supports, and depending on the results,
removing an affected part from service
and replacing it with a serviceable part,
which constitutes a terminating action
for the repetitive inspections. The
NPRM also proposed to require
replacing affected parts with serviceable
parts unless already accomplished and
prohibit installing an affected part on
any helicopter, as specified in EASA AD
2022–0180.
You may examine EASA AD 2022–
0180 in the AD docket at regulations.gov
under Docket No. FAA–2022–1490.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness
Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on
the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
These helicopters have been approved
by EASA and are approved for operation
in the United States. Pursuant to the
FAA’s bilateral agreement with the
European Union, EASA has notified the
FAA about the unsafe condition
described in its AD. The FAA reviewed
the relevant data and determined that
air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these helicopters. Except
for minor editorial changes, this AD is
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022–0180 requires
repetitively inspecting certain partnumbered RH and LH fan supports for
a crack and broken leg and, if there is
any crack or broken leg, replacing the
affected fan support with a serviceable
fan support. If the replacement is not
required as a result of the inspection,
EASA AD 2022–0180 requires the
replacement at a longer compliance
time. EASA AD 2022–0180 also states
that the replacement constitutes
terminating action for the repetitive
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
inspections and prohibits installing an
affected part on any helicopter.
This material is reasonably available
because the interested parties have
access to it through their normal course
of business or by the means identified
in the ADDRESSES section.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA also reviewed Airbus
Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
AS355–05.00.88, Revision 1, dated July
20, 2022. This service information
specifies procedures for inspecting the
RH and LH fan supports for a crack and
failure (broken leg), replacing an
affected part with a serviceable part, and
performing a balancing of the tail rotor
drive shaft.
Differences Between This AD and the
EASA AD
EASA AD 2022–0180 requires
replacing each affected part with a
serviceable part if any crack or broken
leg is found during any required
inspection or if the replacement was not
previously performed as a result of an
inspection, whereas this AD requires
removing each affected part from service
and replacing with a serviceable part if
any crack or broken leg is found during
any required inspection or if the
replacement was not previously
performed as a result of an inspection.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD
affects 31 helicopters of U.S. Registry.
Labor rates are estimated at $85 per
work-hour. Based on these numbers, the
FAA estimates the following costs to
comply with this AD.
Visually inspecting a fan support for
a crack and broken leg takes about 1
work-hour for an estimated cost of $170
per helicopter (2 fan supports per
helicopter) per inspection cycle and up
to $5,270 for the U.S. fleet per
inspection cycle.
Replacing a fan support takes about 8
work-hours and parts cost about $600
for an estimated cost of $1,280 per
replacement and up to $39,680 for the
U.S. fleet.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII:
Aviation Programs, describes in more
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking
under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section
44701: General requirements. Under
E:\FR\FM\24FER1.SGM
24FER1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 37 / Friday, February 24, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
that section, Congress charges the FAA
with promoting safe flight of civil
aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and
procedures the Administrator finds
necessary for safety in air commerce.
This regulation is within the scope of
that authority because it addresses an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or
develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on
the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation
in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as
follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES
■
2023–03–13 Airbus Helicopters:
Amendment 39–22338; Docket No.
FAA–2022–1490; Project Identifier
MCAI–2022–01177–R.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters
Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2,
and AS355N helicopters, all serial numbers,
certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC)
Code: 6500, Tail Rotor Drive System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a
partially broken right-hand side tail rotor
drive fan support (fan support) and a
completely broken left-hand side fan support.
The FAA is issuing this AD to detect a
cracked or broken fan support leg. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in
loss of main gearbox and engine oil cooling
function, loss of tail rotor drive, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and
(i) of this AD: Comply with all required
actions and compliance times specified in,
and in accordance with, European Union
Aviation Safety Agency AD 2022–0180, dated
August 29, 2022 (EASA AD 2022–0180).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022–0180
(1) Where EASA AD 2022–0180 requires
compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD
requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022–0180 refers to
the effective dates specified in paragraphs
(h)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD, this AD requires
using the effective date of this AD.
(i) May 3, 2022 (the effective date of EASA
AD 2022–0069, dated April 19, 2022).
(ii) The effective date of EASA AD 2022–
0180.
(3) Where paragraphs (2) and (3) of EASA
AD 2022–0180 specify ‘‘replacing each
affected part with a serviceable part,’’ for this
AD, replace that text with ‘‘removing each
affected part from service and replacing it
with a serviceable part.’’
(4) Where the service information
referenced in EASA AD 2022–0180 specifies
to use tooling, this AD allows the use of
equivalent tooling.
(5) Where the service information
referenced in EASA AD 2022–0180 specifies
to discard parts, this AD requires removing
those parts from service.
(6) This AD does not adopt the Remarks
paragraph of EASA AD 2022–0180.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
This airworthiness directive (AD) is
effective March 31, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
(j) Special Flight Permit
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:40 Feb 23, 2023
Jkt 259001
PO 00000
Frm 00005
(1) The Manager, International Validation
Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your
request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the manager of the International Validation
Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
Fmt 4700
For more information about this AD,
contact Jared Hyman, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston ACO Branch, Compliance &
Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200 District
Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803;
telephone (781) 238–7799; email 9-AVS-AIRBACO-COS@faa.gov.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of
the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2022–0180, dated August 29,
2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2022–0180, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet
easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA
material on the EASA website at
ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy.,
Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
(5) You may view this material that is
incorporated by reference at the National
Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, email
fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to:
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued on February 7, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–03606 Filed 2–23–23; 8:45 am]
Special flight permits are prohibited.
None.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(l) Related Information
(f) Compliance
Although the service information
referenced in EASA AD 2022–0180 specifies
to submit certain information to the
manufacturer, this AD does not include that
requirement.
(a) Effective Date
11783
Sfmt 4700
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
E:\FR\FM\24FER1.SGM
24FER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11781-11783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03606]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1490; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01177-R;
Amendment 39-22338; AD 2023-03-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N
helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a partially broken
tail rotor drive fan support (fan support) and a completely broken fan
support. This AD requires repetitively inspecting certain part-numbered
fan supports (affected parts), and depending on the results, removing
an affected part from service and replacing it with a serviceable part,
which constitutes a terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
This AD also requires replacing affected parts with serviceable parts
unless already accomplished and prohibits installing an affected part
on any helicopter, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 31, 2023.
[[Page 11782]]
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 31,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1490; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, any comments received, and other
information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For EASA material that is incorporated by reference in
this final rule, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne,
Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet
easa.europa.eu.
You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321,
Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1490.
Other Related Service Information: For Airbus Helicopters service
information identified in this final rule, contact Airbus Helicopters,
2701 North Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone (972) 641-
0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at airbus.com/helicopters/services/technical-support.html. This service information
is also available at the FAA contact information under Material
Incorporated by Reference above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jared Hyman, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-
7799; email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued a series of EASA ADs with the most recent
being EASA AD 2022-0180, dated August 29, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0180), to
correct an unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters Model AS 355 E, AS
355 F, AS 355 F1, AS 355 F2, and AS 355 N helicopters, all serial
numbers.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Airbus Helicopters
Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2022 (87 FR
74330). The NPRM was prompted by a report of a partially broken right-
hand side (RH) fan support and a completely broken left-hand side (LH)
fan support found during scheduled maintenance on a Model AS355
helicopter. The NPRM proposed to require repetitively inspecting
certain part-numbered fan supports, and depending on the results,
removing an affected part from service and replacing it with a
serviceable part, which constitutes a terminating action for the
repetitive inspections. The NPRM also proposed to require replacing
affected parts with serviceable parts unless already accomplished and
prohibit installing an affected part on any helicopter, as specified in
EASA AD 2022-0180.
You may examine EASA AD 2022-0180 in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1490.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
These helicopters have been approved by EASA and are approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral
agreement with the European Union, EASA has notified the FAA about the
unsafe condition described in its AD. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these helicopters. Except for minor editorial changes,
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2022-0180 requires repetitively inspecting certain part-
numbered RH and LH fan supports for a crack and broken leg and, if
there is any crack or broken leg, replacing the affected fan support
with a serviceable fan support. If the replacement is not required as a
result of the inspection, EASA AD 2022-0180 requires the replacement at
a longer compliance time. EASA AD 2022-0180 also states that the
replacement constitutes terminating action for the repetitive
inspections and prohibits installing an affected part on any
helicopter.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA also reviewed Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin No.
AS355-05.00.88, Revision 1, dated July 20, 2022. This service
information specifies procedures for inspecting the RH and LH fan
supports for a crack and failure (broken leg), replacing an affected
part with a serviceable part, and performing a balancing of the tail
rotor drive shaft.
Differences Between This AD and the EASA AD
EASA AD 2022-0180 requires replacing each affected part with a
serviceable part if any crack or broken leg is found during any
required inspection or if the replacement was not previously performed
as a result of an inspection, whereas this AD requires removing each
affected part from service and replacing with a serviceable part if any
crack or broken leg is found during any required inspection or if the
replacement was not previously performed as a result of an inspection.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 31 helicopters of U.S.
Registry. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on
these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this AD.
Visually inspecting a fan support for a crack and broken leg takes
about 1 work-hour for an estimated cost of $170 per helicopter (2 fan
supports per helicopter) per inspection cycle and up to $5,270 for the
U.S. fleet per inspection cycle.
Replacing a fan support takes about 8 work-hours and parts cost
about $600 for an estimated cost of $1,280 per replacement and up to
$39,680 for the U.S. fleet.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under
[[Page 11783]]
that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of
civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2023-03-13 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22338; Docket No. FAA-
2022-1490; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01177-R.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 31, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E, AS355F,
AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters, all serial numbers,
certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6500, Tail Rotor
Drive System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a partially broken right-
hand side tail rotor drive fan support (fan support) and a
completely broken left-hand side fan support. The FAA is issuing
this AD to detect a cracked or broken fan support leg. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of main gearbox
and engine oil cooling function, loss of tail rotor drive, and
subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2022-0180,
dated August 29, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0180).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2022-0180
(1) Where EASA AD 2022-0180 requires compliance in terms of
flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(2) Where EASA AD 2022-0180 refers to the effective dates
specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD, this AD
requires using the effective date of this AD.
(i) May 3, 2022 (the effective date of EASA AD 2022-0069, dated
April 19, 2022).
(ii) The effective date of EASA AD 2022-0180.
(3) Where paragraphs (2) and (3) of EASA AD 2022-0180 specify
``replacing each affected part with a serviceable part,'' for this
AD, replace that text with ``removing each affected part from
service and replacing it with a serviceable part.''
(4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-
0180 specifies to use tooling, this AD allows the use of equivalent
tooling.
(5) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-
0180 specifies to discard parts, this AD requires removing those
parts from service.
(6) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD
2022-0180.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2022-0180
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits are prohibited.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(l) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Jared Hyman,
Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts
01803; telephone (781) 238-7799; email [email protected].
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0180,
dated August 29, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2022-0180, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
[email protected]; internet easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA
material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room
6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email
[email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on February 7, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-03606 Filed 2-23-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
